Professional Science Masters Degree in Cyber Security
Time to Degree
The Professional Science Masters Degree program can be completed at different paces to accommodate your schedule. Check the sample schedules page for more information about available program schedules.
Professional Outcomes
The PSM in Cyber Security is both an educational degree and job skill preparation. Students are guided through academic study to actionable skills that are used in the cyber security industry. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) has produced a Cybersecurity Workforce Framework to help employers build their workforce. As part of this initiative, educational institutions are encouraged to map programs to the framework’s knowledge, skills and abilities. The Professional Science Masters Degree in Cyber Security maps to the following NICE Framework categories:
- Investigate
- Protect and Defend
Educational Learning Outcomes
- Protect and defend computer systems and networks from cybersecurity attacks.
1.1 Characterize privacy, legal and ethical issues of information security.
1.2. Identify vulnerabilities critical to the information assets of an organization.
1.3. Define the security controls sufficient to provide a required level of confidentiality, integrity, and availability in an organization’s computer systems and networks. - Diagnose and investigate cybersecurity events or crimes related to computer systems and digital evidence.
2.1. Diagnose attacks on an organization’s computer systems and networks.
2.2. Propose solutions including development, modification and execution of incident response plans.
2.3. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to detect current and future attacks on an organization’s computer systems and networks. - Effectively communicate in a professional setting to address information security issues.
3.1. Communication orally and in writing, proposed information security solutions to technical and non-technical decision-makers.
3.2. Apply business principles to analyze and interpret data for planning, decision-making, and problem solving in an information security environment.
Curriculum
The degree requires 36 credits which consists of nine four-credit courses. This curriculum includes an experiential learning course, commonly satisfied by an internship or at your current employer. This capstone course will provide practical experience in the field of cybersecurity.
The degree requires five specific core courses. Students are free to choose four more courses that focus on areas of their own interest.
Background Material
Fundamentals for Cyber Security is a self-paced program for enrolled students in basic technology concepts, available for students coming from less technical backgrounds. This material is provided the summer before the program begins.
Core Courses
Students take all five of the core courses. These courses guide students into the field by introducing concepts at a predictable and well-paced rate.CSF 430 – Introduction to Information Assurance
CSF 432 – Introduction to Network and Systems Security
CSF 534 – Advanced Topics in Network and Systems Security
CSF 580 – Professional Skills for Cyber Security
CSF 590 – Cyber Security Internship
Concentration Course Electives
Students choose four concentration courses. These courses target specific concepts and practices within the wide field of cybersecurity technology. A complete list of courses can be found by browsing the course descriptions page.
CSF 410 – Digital Forensics I
CSF 524 – Advanced Incident Response
CSF 536 – Advanced Intrusion Detection and Defense
CSF 538 – Penetration Testing
CSF 540 – Intro to Malware Analysis
CSF 560 – Cyber Threat Intelligence
All other 500-level CSF courses